Ever heard of “The Domino Effect”?
In the book The ONE Thing1, authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan share the story of a San Francisco physics experiment.
Starting with a two-inch domino, they were able to knock over a three-foot-tall domino2.
The three-foot-tall domino was the 8th in line.
Each domino, starting with the tiny two-inch domino, was able to knock over a domino 50% larger than itself.
On its own, the two-inch domino would have had no effect on the three-foot domino.
But geometric progression made it possible.
They said if they went beyond eight dominoes:
The 10th domino would be as tall as an NFL quarterback.
The 23rd domino would be taller than the Eiffel Tower.
And it all began with a two-inch domino.
Of course, your life is not perfectly sized dominoes - in the right order - in a straight line.
But there’s a “two-inch starting/next step” to your “Eiffel Tower-sized goal”.
Need to finish your book?
Write the first/next word.
Want to run a marathon?
Jog slowly for one minute.
Need to make a big purchase?
Set aside the first dollar.
Want a better marriage?
Have the first conversation.
Figure out the smallest thing you CAN do first/next.
Then do that.
Then celebrate.
To help you get started, here’s today’s gratitude prompt:
What’s the two-inch step I can take toward something I’ve been putting off - and how can I celebrate pushing the first domino?
https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776
The dominoes were made of plywood.